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Jerod Mayo talks returning to Patriots, new role: ‘It would take a lot for me to leave’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:48 GMT

FOXBORO — Jerod Mayo stepped inside a reshaped corner of Gillette Stadium for his first press conference of the offseason, a towel draped around his neck and a smile spread across his face,Change surrounded him.A short walk away, renovations continued on the stadium. A few steps closer, construction on the team’s new headquarters neared completion. Through a door to his left, new colleagues on the offensive coaching staff kept busy.But Mayo smiled because of what remained constant, through all the franchise turmoil and chances to leave: his family and football.“It would take a lot for me to leave,” said Mayo, referring to his new contract. “This is where I want to be, and I feel the same way from the coaching staff and also from the Kraft family.”In January, Mayo declined interviews for the head-coach vacancy in Carolina and defensive coordinator job in Cleveland. Around that time, the Patriots released an unprecedented statement announcing they had eng...

Dolphins Deep Dive: How does Eagles QB Jalen Hurts’ massive contract effect Dolphins’ future plans?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:48 GMT

The South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Chris Perkins and David Furones discuss Eagles QB Jalen Hurts’ huge contract extension, and what that means for Dolphins’ future plans for their roster. ()

Fighting rages in Sudan hours after cease-fire was to begin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:48 GMT

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) — Fighting raged in Sudan on Tuesday hours after an internationally brokered truce was supposed to have come into effect, as forces loyal to dueling generals battled for key locations in the capital and accused each other of violating the cease-fire.The truce was the culmination of days of intense pressure by top diplomats on four continents and had raised hopes of sparing Africa’s third largest country from civil war. But each side still appeared determined to vanquish the other, despite the suffering of millions of civilians trapped by the fighting.Residents said they still heard gunfire and explosions in different parts of the capital, Khartoum, particularly around the military’s headquarters and the Republican Palace. They said few people had ventured out, though there were crowds outside some bakeries.“The fighting remains underway,” Atiya Abdulla Atiya of the Sudan Doctors’ Syndicate told The Associated Press. “We are hearing constant gunfire.”Millio...

Blue Jays announce new Rogers Centre upgrades for 2024 season. Here’s what’s coming

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:48 GMT

As a follow-up to the $300-million Rogers Centre renovations that Blue Jays fans are now experiencing, the organization previewed three premium clubs that will be introduced in time for the 2024 season.A Blue Jays spokesperson said the new premium clubs will be located beneath a “completely reimagined lower bowl,” connected to the best seats in the ballpark, with entertainment experiences. This includes a personalized level of service and a private members entrance with in-seat dining.The Blue Jays noted that capacities will be limited and will be available as full or multi-season memberships.“The types of entertainment experiences fans are looking for have evolved dramatically since Rogers Centre opened in 1989, and our ballpark currently has among the fewest premium experience options compared to MLB and other entertainment venues in Toronto,” said Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro.“The next phase of renovations will introduce more of the ameni...

French publishing manager held in UK for obstructing police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:48 GMT

LONDON (AP) — A Paris publishing manager was arrested Tuesday in London after being questioned by police about participating in France’s protests against pension reform, his employer said.Ernest Moret was detained after arriving from Paris at St. Pancras railway station on Monday night on his way to the London Book Fair, Editions La Fabrique said in a joint statement with London radical publisher Vero Books.A Metropolitan Police spokesperson didn’t name Moret but said a 28-year-old man was stopped by officers under a law that allows them to question someone who may be involved in terrorism.He was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of willfully obstructing their investigation, police said.The publishers said officers justified questioning Moret by claiming he participated in the turbulent protests against French President Emmanuel Marcon’s decision to raise the age of retirement from 62 to 64.Moret was arrested for obstruction when he refused to provide passwords to unlo...

German police say at least 4 severely injured in gym attack

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:48 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — At least four people were severely injured in an attack at a gym in the western German city of Duisburg, police said Tuesday evening.The incident occurred in the old city of Duisburg and police asked residents to stay at home and avoid the area. They said a large number of officers were at the scene of the attack, right across from the city hall.“According to current information, one person has injured other people with an object” at a gym, Duisburg police tweeted. “The situation is currently still confusing.”Police later said that a “stabbing or cutting weapon” was used in the attack, but did not give any further details.The attacker appeared to still be on the loose, German news agency dpa reported. Several victims were taken to a hospital, while investigators searched the gym, dpa reported. Several witnesses to the attack, some still with their sports bags, were taken to a nearby restaurant so police could question them.Helicopters were hovering above the gym ...

‘Done and dusted’: Liberals’ controversial online streaming bill back before Senate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:48 GMT

OTTAWA — The Liberal government’s controversial online-streaming bill was back in the upper chamber on Tuesday, with one senator who had earlier opposed it saying she expected it to pass.After more than a year of debate and revisions, Alberta Sen. Paula Simons said she would really like to see Bill C-11 “done and dusted” this week, and not because she wants to ram it through. “For all the cynicism about the Senate, I think the Senate showed its merits with this bill,” Simons said in a recent interview. “And I think we did a really good job of debating and discussing it.”Last month, the House of Commons adopted most of the Senate’s amendments, which included measures to highlight the promotion of Indigenous languages and Black content creators and a change that sought to “reaffirm” the independence and freedom of expression of creators. Senators also tweaked the bill to ensure that funds collected from tech giants would go t...

Syria, Tunisia move to restore their diplomatic relations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:48 GMT

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisian President Kais Saied met Tuesday with Syria’s chief diplomat and said his country wants to boost bilateral cooperation and preserve “historical ties of brotherhood” with Damascus, the official TAP news agency reported.Diplomatic relations between Syria and Tunisia have been cut since 2012 during the civil war that followed President Bashar Assad’s crackdown on mass protests against his rule. Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mikdad’s three-day visit to Tunisia is meant to help restore relations, the Tunisian Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.Mikdad had a meeting Monday evening with his Tunisian counterpart Nabil Ammar shortly after his arrival.President Saied stressed Tunisia’s willingness to intensify cooperation in a range of bilateral issues, and on the common cultural bonds, TAP reported.The bid by the two countries to move toward a new chapter is a glaring example of how things have changed in the region over the past deca...

Inflation hits lowest level since August 2021, but BoC not expected to back off yet

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:48 GMT

OTTAWA — The Bank of Canada is expected to keep interest rates elevated for some time even as the country’s annual inflation rate falls rapidly. Inflation in Canada dropped to 4.3 per cent in March, Statistics Canada said in its latest consumer price index report released Tuesday. The headline rate eased from 5.2 per cent in February as higher mortgage interest costs were offset by lower energy prices.The country’s annual inflation rate is mostly tracking along the Bank of Canada’s forecast of reaching three per cent by mid-year. Its preferred measures of core inflation, which the central bank uses to look through volatility in prices, also trended downward in March.“Today’s report shows that all roads do indeed point to three per cent inflation in the months ahead,” said BMO chief economist Douglas Porter in a client note. The continued slowdown in inflation since last summer has now brought the annual rate down to the lowest it’s been since Augu...

US charges 4 Americans, 3 Russians in election discord case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:48 GMT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Four Americans affiliated with a Black empowerment and political organization have been charged along with three Russians with conspiring to covertly sow discord in U.S. society, spread Russian propaganda and interfere illegally in U.S. elections, according to an indictment unsealed Tuesday.The U.S. citizens and two Russians were added to an existing case in Tampa, Florida, federal court involving Aleksandr Ionov, described by prosecutors as the founder of a Moscow-based organization funded by the Russian government to carry out a clandestine influence campaign in the U.S.The four Americans are all part of the African People’s Socialist Party and Uhuru Movement, which has locations in St. Petersburg, Florida, and St. Louis. Among those charged is Omali Yeshitela, chairman of the U.S.-based organization — which was raided by the FBI last summer when Ionov was originally charged.“Russia’s foreign intelligence service allegedly weaponized our Fir...